Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have collected nomination papers for Gabtali Upazila BNP president Morshed Milton to contest from Bogura-7 (Shajahanpur-Gabtali), the parliamentary seat of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The papers were collected on Saturday afternoon from Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, with Gabtali Upazila BNP vice-president Ashraful Islam acting on Milton’s behalf. Several local BNP leaders, including organizational secretary Julfikar Naeem Gama, Mominul Islam, Sagar Khan, and Gabtali municipal BNP organizational secretary Tarikul Islam, were present during the submission. Both the Upazila Executive Officer and the Upazila Election Officer, Anisur Rahman, confirmed that the nomination papers were collected for Milton as the BNP’s official candidate. The report recalls that in 2018, Morshed Milton had also received BNP’s nomination for the same constituency, but the Election Commission later canceled it. Following that decision, BNP extended its support to independent candidate Rezaul Karim Bablu, who contested under the “Rag” symbol.

Thirty members of the National Citizens Party (NCP) have expressed opposition to the party’s decision to join an eight-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. According to multiple central leaders of the NCP, the dissenting members, out of a total 214 in the party’s central committee, have submitted a formal letter of objection. The confirmation came on Saturday, as reported by Amar Desh Online. The report indicates that the NCP’s move to align with Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties has not received unanimous support within its leadership. The internal disagreement highlights divisions over the party’s strategic direction and its choice of political partners. Details about the content of the objection letter or the party’s next steps were not disclosed. Further information on the development is expected as the situation evolves, with the NCP leadership yet to issue a public statement addressing the internal dissent.

A state funeral was held in Ankara on Saturday morning for five Libyan military officials who died in a plane crash earlier in the week. Among the victims was General Muhammad Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, a top commander from western Libya. The private jet, carrying the officials and three crew members, crashed after taking off from Ankara en route to Tripoli, killing all on board. Libyan authorities stated that a technical fault caused the accident. General al-Haddad had played a key role in United Nations-mediated efforts to unify Libya’s armed forces. The delegation had been returning home after discussions aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Turkey and Libya. Turkey’s defense minister and senior military officials attended the funeral, where the coffins, draped in Libyan national flags, were honored before being sent to Libya. Special prayers were offered for the deceased.

Asif Mahmud, who resigned from his post as an adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, has clarified that he will contest the upcoming national election from Dhaka-10 as an independent candidate. His statement followed reports that a nomination form had also been collected in his name for the Cumilla-3 constituency. Mahmud told BBC Bangla that he did not personally collect the Cumilla form, explaining that local residents from his home area in Muradnagar obtained it without his knowledge. Mahmud, originally a voter from Muradnagar in Cumilla, applied in November to change his voter registration to Dhaka-10. On December 12, he announced via a social media video message his intention to run independently from that constituency. He had resigned from the interim government’s advisory council on December 10, a day before the election schedule was announced. As a former student leader who represented participants in the July uprising, Mahmud previously oversaw the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry during his tenure as an adviser.

At least 22 people, including women, were injured in a violent clash between two groups over a land dispute in Dhanpur village under Madan upazila of Netrakona on Saturday morning. Five of the injured were admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in critical condition, while the rest received treatment at Madan Upazila Health Complex. Police said the clash erupted between the groups of Matiur Rahman and Taijul Islam, who have been in a long-standing dispute over land ownership. According to local sources and police, the two sides had previously clashed about a month ago, leading to multiple cases being filed with the local police station. On Saturday, both groups reportedly used traditional weapons such as spears, sticks, and machetes during the confrontation. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Madan Police Station’s investigation officer Debangshu Kumar stated that police have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence. He added that legal action will be taken upon receiving a written complaint regarding the incident.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman visited his in-laws’ residence, Mahbub Bhaban, in Dhanmondi on Saturday, December 27, after a 17-year gap. He left his Gulshan residence at 4:25 p.m. and traveled by road to the house. A verified post from the BNP media cell shared a photo of Rahman petting cats at the residence, describing him as an animal lover. Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after years of exile in the United Kingdom. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:39 a.m. on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Following his arrival, he addressed supporters at a mass reception on the July-36 Expressway and later visited his mother, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Party leaders, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the standing committee, welcomed Rahman with flowers at the airport’s VIP lounge before his public appearance.

Dr. Tasnim Jara has resigned from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and announced her candidacy as an independent contender for the Dhaka-9 constituency in the upcoming national parliamentary election. She made the announcement on Saturday, December 27, 2025, through a statement on her verified Facebook account. Around the same time, three other senior NCP leaders—Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, Joint Member Secretary Nusrat Tabassum, and Joint Member Secretary Dr. Mahmuda Mitu—also made posts on Facebook. Samanta Sharmin wrote that they would not give up their struggle, Nusrat Tabassum emphasized that politics should not outweigh principles, and Dr. Mahmuda Mitu expressed distrust toward certain Western-aligned groups while praising those who openly state their positions. The posts come amid internal tensions within the NCP, as several members have recently expressed dissent over the party’s political direction and alliances.

China has appointed its first female captain for the domestically produced C919 passenger aircraft, according to the South China Morning Post. The historic appointment went to Yu Yue, a former Boeing 737 pilot with China Southern Airlines. Since joining the airline in 2015, Yu has maintained a zero-error record. Earlier this year, she joined the C919 program and completed extensive training at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China and COMAC’s Shanghai training center, which included simulator sessions for emergency scenarios. The C919, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a narrow-body jet designed for short- and medium-haul routes and is seen as China’s alternative to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The aircraft began commercial service on domestic routes in May 2023. Major state-owned carriers—China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern—are incorporating the C919 into their fleets and retraining pilots accordingly. Yu highlighted the challenges faced by women pilots in balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. In 2024, China had 941 female pilots, less than two percent of the total, though participation has been gradually increasing.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said that any attempt to disrupt the upcoming election will be firmly resisted. He made the remarks on Saturday at Matherbazar in Madaripur Sadar upazila after paying respects at the grave of July Movement martyr Naimur Rahman. He stated that patriotic citizens will work together to ensure a fair, free, and impartial election. According to Adilur Rahman, the interim government is working to ensure the safety of July Movement participants and all citizens ahead of the election, while fascist forces are trying to obstruct the process. Earlier, he visited Ghatmajhi area to meet the family of July martyr Mamun Sardar and paid tribute at the July Memorial near Shakuni Lake in the morning. Senior district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Alam and Additional Deputy Commissioner Al Noman, were present during the visit, reflecting administrative engagement in the adviser’s activities.

RAB-6 has arrested D.K. Shamim, also known as Dhakaiya Shamim, in connection with the shooting of NCP leader Motaleb Sikdar in Khulna city. The arrest took place on Friday night during a special operation in the Basupara area. Another suspect, Mahadin, was also detained in the same operation. At a press briefing on Saturday, RAB-6 Deputy Commander Major Md. Nazmul Islam confirmed that Shamim was directly involved in the shooting incident and had seven previous cases under narcotics, robbery, and special powers laws. Mahadin was reportedly present at the scene during the attack. Both detainees have been handed over to Sonadanga Model Police Station. RAB stated that operations are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects in the case. The attack occurred on December 22 at Mukta House in the Al Aqsa Mosque Lane of 109 Majid Sarani, where unidentified assailants attempted to kill Motaleb Sikdar by gunfire. Following the incident, Sikdar’s wife filed a case naming a woman named Nimmi and eight unidentified individuals as accused. RAB’s ongoing investigation aims to identify and capture the other suspects involved in the attempted murder.

A United States missile strike on Islamic State (IS) targets in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on Christmas Day has drawn mixed reactions both within the country and internationally. The missile reportedly landed just meters from the only health center in Jabo village, causing panic among residents. Supporters of former US President Donald Trump and right-wing groups in the United States celebrated the attack as a “Christmas gift,” while Nigerian observers raised concerns over national security, sovereignty, and civilian safety. Far-right activist Laura Loomer praised the strike on social media, calling it a justified act against Islamic terrorists. Florida Republican congressman Randy Fine described the attack as a “remarkable Christmas gift,” and other Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina, commended Trump for authorizing the strike, citing IS’s responsibility for the deaths of thousands of Christians and religious minorities in Nigeria. Nigeria’s government has long faced violence from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Officials have reiterated that while they welcome international cooperation in counterterrorism, such actions must respect the country’s sovereignty and legal framework.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has issued a special advisory urging all fishing boats, trawlers, and other vessels to avoid the sea area between Cox’s Bazar and Hatiya on December 29 and 30, 2025. The notice, released on December 27, stated that the Bangladesh Navy will conduct missile firing exercises in that maritime zone during those two days. According to the ISPR statement, the advisory aims to ensure the safety of lives and property while the naval exercise is underway. All types of marine vessels, including fishing boats and trawlers, have been specifically requested not to remain or move within the designated area during the exercise period. The ISPR emphasized that the temporary restriction is precautionary and limited to the missile firing schedule, after which normal navigation is expected to resume.

Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland, calling it an act of state aggression and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The reaction came a day after Israel announced its recognition of the breakaway region. Somali Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar told Al Jazeera that the move constitutes direct interference in Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the government would use all diplomatic means to counter what it described as Israeli intervention in its internal affairs. The announcement has sparked widespread criticism across African and Arab nations, many of which expressed concern that Israel’s move could be linked to plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians. Somalia’s government reiterated that such actions are unacceptable to its people and urged Israel to comply with international law and reverse its divisive decision. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war but has not been recognized by any UN member state. Despite having its own currency, flag, and parliament, its sovereignty remains internationally unacknowledged.

A total of 184 central committee members of the National Citizens Party (NCP) have supported a seat-sharing agreement with the eight-party alliance that includes Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. However, 30 members of the 214-member committee have opposed the arrangement. The figures indicate that 86 percent of the NCP’s central leadership favor the deal, while 14 percent remain against it. The information was confirmed on Saturday by several central leaders of the party. The development highlights internal divisions within the NCP over joining the alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. While the majority of the leadership supports the move, a notable minority has expressed reservations about aligning with the Islamist party and its coalition partners. The report did not specify the reasons behind the dissent or identify the opposing members. The confirmation of the seat-sharing stance suggests that the NCP is moving closer to formalizing its participation in the eight-party bloc, though internal opposition could influence future negotiations or party unity.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a record increase in gold prices across the country, raising rates by up to Tk 1,575 per bhori. The new prices, effective from Sunday, December 28, set the cost of 22-carat gold at Tk 227,856 per bhori, marking the highest level in Bangladesh’s history. The announcement was made through a BAJUS press release on Saturday, December 27. According to the association, the adjustment reflects a rise in the price of pure gold in the local market, aligned with global market trends. The main reason cited for the increase is the surge in international gold prices, which have exceeded USD 4,500 per ounce. Alongside gold, silver prices have also been raised, with 22-carat silver now priced at Tk 6,065 per bhori. The new pricing structure indicates a broader response to global market pressures, suggesting continued volatility in precious metal prices as Bangladesh aligns its domestic rates with international movements.